Joe Morris

Biography

1) Joe Morris (born September 13, 1955) is an American jazz guitarist. In addition to leading his own groups, he has recorded with Mathew Shipp, William Parker, Whit Dickey, Rob Brown, Joe Maneri, Ken Vandermark and others. He has recorded for a number of labels, including ECM, Hat Hut, Okka Disc, AUM Fidelity and his own record label, Riti.

Morris was born in New Haven, Connecticut; an important early mentor and playing partner was the legendary but little-recorded pianist Lowell Davidson. Morris is perhaps the most significant guitarist to play free jazz since Sonny Sharrock. Morris has stated that his flowing single-note technique was inspired more by traditional African musics, and by saxophone players like Eric Dolphy and Jimmy Lyons, than by other guitarists. He does not use distortion or effects, preferring a "clean" sound, but has made occasional use of a serrated pick to "bow" the strings of his guitar, creating an otherworldly, harmonic-rich sound. He also plays banjo and banjo-uke, and in recent years has increasingly focused on playing bass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Morris_%28guitarist%29

http://www.joe-morris.com/

2) Joe Morris (b. 1922, Montgomery, Alabama–d. November 1958) was an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter and bandleader.

He began his career as a jazz trumpeter, working and recording with Earl Bostic, Milt Buckner, Arnett Cobb, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Griffin, Buddy Rich and Lionel Hampton. After working with Hampton as a writer, arranger, and trumpeter, he left in 1946 to set up the Joe Morris Orchestra. This featured, among others, Johnny Griffin, Elmo Hope, Percy Heath and Philly Joe Jones. One of his first credited recordings as bandleader was with Wynonie Harris on "Drinkin' Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee".

Morris signed with the then fledgling Atlantic Records, and released "Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere", with vocals by Laurie Tate. This rose to number one on the R&B charts in 1950, and he followed up with "Don't Take Your Love Away From Me". The band functioned as the unofficial house band for Atlantic in the early 1950s, and several future stars passed through its ranks, including Ray Charles and Lowell Fulson.

In 1953 Tate left for a solo career, and Morris replaced her with his new discovery Faye Adams. He moved to Herald Records, where he backed Adams on her # 1 R&B smash hit, his own composition "Shake A Hand", and its follow-up "I'll Be True", also an R&B # 1 hit. At the same time, he had his own hit with "I Had A Notion", featuring vocals by Al Savage.

Morris died of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1958, aged 36.

3) Joe Morris (born March 7, 1960) is an American drummer based in Phoenix.

He has released 5 solo CD’s. One of which, “Joe Morris and Friends," was released in GTS 5.1 Surround Sound thereby making Joe the first drummer to put out a solo CD in this format. Additionally, this CD was used by Genelec for demo purposes at trade shows all over the United States and Europe.

Morris is a member of the Esteban Band. Joe has recorded over 17 Esteban CD’s and produced the “Esteban Live” CD that went number 2 on Billboard. Additionally, he is on the “Intimate Evening with Esteban” video, The "Esteban Live at Red Rocks" DVD and the "Esteban and Friends" DVD which hit number 1 on the Billboard charts.

Joe is also a clinician for major drum manufacturers, and the music director at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences. He has performed in clinics all over the world. Joe Morris was chosen by The Fender Music Corporation to be the drummer on the Fender Stage at the 2002 Namm Show. Joe played with tons of different artists including: Greg Koch, Ray Riendeau, Gary Hoey, Kim Stone and Reggie Hamilton. He was also included in the Fender Clinic Tour featuring guitarist Greg Koch and bassist Ray Riendeau. When the clinic tour ended the band was invited to Steve Vai's Studio to record a CD. "Radio Free Gristle" is out on Favored Nations Records which is Steve Vai's label. Joe was featured on a track on the “Lords of the Bass" CD along with Dave Weckl and had the pleasure of playing Bass Day in New York with Ray Riendeau, Victor Wooten, Christian McBride, Matthew Garrison and T.M. Stevens.

Joe is a highly sought after drummer/percussionist whose versatile style and dedication to his instrument has earned him world tours, countless recording sessions and tracks on major motion pictures and television shows. His professionalism and groove have made him a welcome addition to any band's rhythm section. Joe’s product knowledge, playing skills and great attitude are the reason he is an endorser and clinician for major drum companies.

He has released 5 solo CD’s. “Joe Morris and Friends” (stereo) which had 6 six songs chart in the top 10 under jazz. “Joe Morris and Friends” (5.1 DTS Surround Sound) thereby making Joe the first drummer to put out a solo CD in 5.1 Surround Sound. Additionally, this CD was used by Genelec for demo purposes at trade shows all over the United States and Europe. It received rave reviews. “Groove Therapy” is Joe’s dual release with bass player extraordinaire Ray Riendeau. This CD is just pumping bass and drums and really shows what can be done within a rhythm section. “Arrhythmia” This music is rhythmically complex, harmonically ambiguous and predominantly instrumental crypto-funk. His newest release "One Beat Off" has something for everyone from Funk, Latin, Odd time, Duet Drum Solo's, hard rock and even some speed metal. All instrumental music lovers should own this CD, The grooves are thick and at times there are chops flying everywhere. Over all a great musical journey and some of Joe's best work to date.

As a member of the Esteban Band, Joe is touring the world playing to sold out venues all over the country plus playing live TV appearances as the band hits the Billboard charts on a monthly basis. Joe has recorded over 17 Esteban CD’s and produced the “Esteban Live” CD that went number 2 on Billboard. Additionally, he is on the “Intimate Evening with Esteban” video, The "Esteban Live at Red Rocks" DVD and the "Esteban and Friends" DVD which hit number 1 on the Billboard charts.

Joe is also a clinician for major drum manufacturers, and the music director at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences. He has performed in clinics all over the world. Joe Morris was chosen by The Fender Music Corporation to be the drummer on the Fender Stage at the 2002 Namm Show. Joe played with tons of different artists including: Greg Koch, Ray Riendeau, Gary Hoey, Kim Stone and Reggie Hamilton. He was also included in the Fender Clinic Tour featuring guitarist Greg Koch and bassist Ray Riendeau. When the clinic tour ended the band was invited to Steve Vai's Studio to record a CD. "Radio Free Gristle" is out on Favored Nations Records which is Steve Vai's label. Joe was featured on a track on the “Lords of the Bass" CD along with Dave Weckl and had the pleasure of playing Bass Day in New York with Ray Riendeau, Victor Wooten, Christian McBride, Matthew Garrison and T.M. Stevens.